EPL 2017-18: Leicester City 2-3 Liverpool - 5 Talking Points
Liverpool returned to the King Power stadium just days after being demolished by the Foxes in the League Cup and it was largely believed that Jurgen Klopp’s men were baying for revenge, especially with the likes of Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah returning to the starting line-up.
It was Liverpool, who started the proceedings in the 15th minute when Mohamed Salah scored via a header from a difficult angle and when Phillipe Coutinho curled on over the Leicester wall and in the back of the net, many thought Liverpool were going to run away with the game.
However, Leicester were in no mood to give up and goals from Shinji Okazaki and Jamie Vardy on either side of a Jordan Henderson goal gave the home fans something to cheer about. However, the Leicester fans night ended on a sour note after Jamie Vardy failed to convert the penalty that came his way after being fouled by Simon Mignolet, thus handing the visitors their 3rd league win of the season.
Here are the 5 talking points from the game between the 2 sides.
#1. It’s time to forget Philippe Coutinho’s antics in the transfer market
Before you Liverpool fans have a meltdown, please hear us out. We are aware that Coutinho did not behave in a mature manner during the transfer window as he sought a move away from Anfield. However, what must be noted and admired is the professional way that he has handled himself in after being reintegrated into the side by Jurgen Klopp.
The Brazilian magician will perhaps yet again try to force through a move to Barcelona in the winter transfer window but whilst he remains a Liverpool player, he needs to be adored, especially because he has grown from being another talented player who failed to make the cut at Inter to a player who can change a game on its head, a trait this side desperately needs in the current times of crisis.
Against Leicester, it was the Coutinho we all loved. He put his head down, worked really hard on and off the ball and when he got the opportunity to inflict some damage on the hosts, he ensured that he did so with aplomb. It was Coutinho who created Liverpool’s opening goal in the 15th minute when he floated in a perfect cross for Mohamed Salah to head home at the far post and then doubled Liverpool’s lead with a freekick in the 23rd minute that bamboozled Kasper Schmeichel, albeit with the help of a faint touch from the Leicester wall.
Liverpool will continue to concede goals, let us not dilly dally on that fact and what they need is an attack that outscores their opponents and a potent Coutinho is perhaps the right man to be at the centre of their attack.